Discussions on horse breeds

There is often a living discussion on how horse breeds can take over the ecological role of their extinct ancestors. In this page we will show you the running discussions in Eurasia and on the other continents, such as about the Mustang in the US.

Don't hesitate to hop into discussion and let us know about other useful information. We are looking forward to your input.

Discussion on the colours of manes of the extinct horses

Studies show another reason for having long manes. The long manes divert rain water. Most prehistoric horses with erect manes that we see on cave paintings were part of a tundra-steppe climate and vegetation. That means very little rains and therefore not the need to develop mechanisms to divert rain water, continues Henri Kerkdijk-Otten. 

Wild horses for Europe which breed is the best? Read more in the article about Euro Wildlife.

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US wild horse emergency/conservation grazing

In March 2011 through the website contact message a discussion was started whether the horses in Northern America are feral or wild.

Henri Kerkdijk: Most mustang populations are of Iberian heritage. This means that certain 'Iberian' traits could be overly present in the Mustang populations. But, with an evolution towards a more pony-like animal, their colors will evolve and stabilize as well. Most Mustang populations received influx of domesticated horses untill fairly recently, so give it some time before certain fixed ecotypes emerge. And don't stare yourself blind at zebra stripes or no zebra stripes...give the diverse populations time to develop would be my advice. Just my two cents. Read more ...

Tarpan, konik, or what’s in a name?

Henri Kerkdijk summarized:

Tarpan is a name specifically meant for wild or feral horses from the steppes of the Ukraine and southern Russia. From what we know from historical sources, these horses looked different than today’s konik. Thick and sturdy bones, tan and mouse colored (not grey) coats, sturdy short but hanging manes, uni-colored (black) manes and tail, a very big head and very thick jaws. Nothing like todays Konik. Archaeozoological research and ancient color genetics confirms these resources.

Mitochondrial dna groups Konik together with English thoroughbred, warm bloods, etcetera, so nothing ancient about koniks. Haplotype research (genetic blood group) into late pleistocene to present day horses, clearly shows that the Konik has nothing to with ancient or historical wild horses from the region.

The assumption that there existed a polish forest horse is based on the assumption that Equus Sylvestris named in one source means forest horse. However, everyone with some knows that Sylvestris means 'wild', just as Malus Sylvestris means wild apple and not forest apple.

Konacki, at first a firm believer of the whole konik story, published a research in 1984, regarding serious mineral shortages in koniks living in forest reserves. Her conclusion was that the konik could not be a descendant of a forest horse. Until the late seventies koniks were supplementary fed during winters. As reference Exmoor ponies (Solling Vogler) and Garrano in Northern Portugal show no signs of malnutrition, even when living in heavily forested areas.

While it is true that Koniks have been dedomesticated, they still have the tendency to be less shy then other wild living horse breeds in Europe, attesting to the fact that they have been domesticated horses until not too long ago. There are other horse breeds that have been living wild or are feral and have a better track record, Asturcon, Pottoka, Garrano, Exmoor pony, Karakachan, Serbian mountain pony and some Hucul herds.